Trigger safety mechanism



Sept. 21, 1965 R. M. KLINE ETAI.. 3,207,143

TRIGGER SAFETY MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 14free/@$41,

Sept. 21, 1965 R. M. KLINE ETAL,

TRIGG'ER SAFETY MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTUM. JB/c'f/fze/llZ//mJZ/V/Vfrf/ Je. P/rc//f/e w W gn# rraeA/fs/.n

Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 Sept. 2l, 1965 R. M. KLINE ETAL 3,207,143

v TRIGGER SAFETY MEGHANISM I Original Filed Oct. 6, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet5 A j3d 9 y@ W Mw United States Patent O 3,207,143 TRIGGER SAFETYMECHANISM Richard M. Kline, 9413 Sawyer St., Los Angeles, Calif., andKenneth R. Pitcher, 5881 (Messa,y Encino, Calif. Application .lune 27,1958, Ser. No. 744,968, now Patent No. 3,048,159, dated Aug. 7, 1962,which is a continuation of abandoned application Ser. No. 538,858, Oct6, 1955. Divided and this application July 14, 1961, Ser. No. 124,126

6 Claims.

This application is a division of our prior application Serial No.744,968, iled June 27, 1958, and entitled Compressed Fluid-OperatedSmall Arms Weapon, now Patent No. 3,048,159 which was a continuation ofour abandoned prior application Serial No. 538,858, led Oct. 6, 1955,and entitled Compressed Fluid-Operated Small Arms Weapon.

This invention relates to small arms, and particularly to pistols andrifles in which a valve is momentarily opened by an impact hammer forpassing a predetermined quantity of pressurized gas from a cartridge tothe barrel.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a device of thischaracter in which the operating parts of the mechanism are convenientlyand compactly arranged, and in which the number of operating parts isquite small. Accordingly, an air pistol or rifle as compact and asattractive as a comparably sized rearm is provided.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and simplearrangement of parts that, without locking any parts, immobilizes thehammer when the charge of compressed uid is exhausted or when a simplesafety device is operable. This is made possible by a cocking andtripping link for the hammer, the hammer and link having normallyengageable parts that are moved out of operative alignment either whenthe supply of compressed fluid is exhausted or when a safety lug movesthe link away from its biased operative position.

These objects are made possible by a novel slider structure thatincorporates magnetic means for holding the missile in place untildislodged, either by the force of the compressed fluid or by a sharptap. A novel resilient structure ensures that the missile is properly inplace when the hammer is tripped without requiring precise manufacturingtolerances. The resilient structure also stores energy that wouldotherwise damage the parts in the event that missiles are not properlyfed.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a device of thischaracter in which the force of propulsion of the missile can be easilyand accurately adjusted by discrete steps, whereby uniformly predictableoperation can be achieved for any of the adjusted positions.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one of the complementary halves of a pistolbody, some of the parts being shown in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken along the planeindicated by the line 2 2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrammatic enlarged fragmentary views, some of theparts being shown in section, showing the operation of the actuatinglmechanism in successive positions, FIG. 3 illustrating the hammer beingcocked,

ICC

the phantom-line position illustrating the critical position;

FIG. 4 illustrates the tripped position of the hammer;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the position of theactuating mechanism and hammer when the supply of compressed gases isexhausted;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the position of theactuating mechanism and hammer when a safety lug is in operativeposition;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of that portion of the othercomplementary half of the gun body mounting the safety lug; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional View, taken .along the plane indicated by the line8-8 of FIG. 7.

The small arm illustrated in the drawings, in this instance, is apistol. The pistol body comprises a main body part 10a, providingcavities for the elements of the apparatus, and a cover plate 10b (FIG.2), cooperating with the main body part to enclose the elements.

The body 10a has .a barrel 11 accommodating a barrel insert or liner 12.

Missiles in the form of round pellets or shots 15, normally contained ina magazine 16 at the lower end of the body 1t), are passed to the rearend of the barrel bore through the upper portion of 4an elongate bodycavity or recess 13. A small passage 16a, of such size and shape as topermit passage of the pellets 15 one by one, extends from the left-handend of the lmagazine 16, as viewed in FIG. 1, into the body cavity 13.The passage 16a slopes downwardly at its opening into the recess 13 whenthe barrel is nearly horizontal. The opening of the passage 16a islocated beneath the barrel bore.

In order to lift the pellets 15 one by one from the end of the passage16a into registry with the barrel bore, a slider 17 is provided. Theslider 17 generally conforms to the configuration of the cavity orrecess 13, and is slidable longitudinally therein. The lower end 13a ofthe recess 13, which is located adjacent the base of the trigger guard14, forms a stop, determining the downward limited position of theslider 17. The slider 17 has a through circular opening 17a thatregisters with the end of the magazine passage 16a when the slider is inthis lower limited position. That pellet at the end of the magazinepassage 16a falls by gravity into the slider aperture 17a. The wall ofthe body cavity 13 opposite the magazine passage 16a stops movement ofthe pellet. Assisting in drawing the pellet into the slider aperture 17ais a small permanent magnet 18 extending inwardly from the upper end ofthe slider 17. The magnet 18 has a polar area located adjacent thecenter of the slider aperture 17a.

When the slider is moved upwardly, the pellet 15 is carried therewithinto registry with the barrel liner 12. The magnet 18 holds the pelletin place. During upward movement of the slider 17, the next pellet atthe end of the magazine passes 16a remains in place', the width of theslider 17 and the recess 13 both being substantially equal to thediameter of the pellet 1S.

The upper limited position of the slider 17 corresponding to registry ofthe slider aperture 17a with the barrel liner is determined by a laterallug 1711 (FIG. 2) of the slider, engaging a shoulder 13b provided on thecover plate 10b, as well as by the upper end of the slider 17 engagingthe upper end 13C of the recess 13.

Opening behind the slider 17 and in alignment with the barrel bore is apassage or port 19 (FIG. 4) provided in the body 10a for conductingcompressed gasses to the ring chamber formed at the upper end of therecess 13.

A space formed by a sleeve 20 (FIG. 1), located in the grip or handleportion 22 of the device, contains compressed uid that is passed to thebody passage through a valve body 21. The valve body 21 has an enlarged`ange 21a telescopically received in the upper end of f., da

the sleeve for closing this end of the sleeve. An O-ring 23 establishesa sealing relationship between the valve body 21 and the cylinder 20.

Opposite ends of the sleeve are accommodated in spaced circular recesses51 and 52, each formed by the complementary body parts. The reducedupper portion of the valve body 21 projects through the reduced upperend of the circular recess 51 into a rear body cavity 53 beneath themagazine 16.

The valve body 21 (FIG. l) has a through passage 21h in which inlet andoutlet ends are formed, respectively, at the lower and upper endsthereof by a raised, downwardly directed valve seat 21C. A lateral port21d of the body connects the outlet end of the valve with the conductingpassage 19, the conducting passage 19 opening into the reduced end ofthe recess 51 in which the valve body 21 is accommodated.

For controlling the flow through the valve passage, a valve closureassembly 24 that momentarily opens the valve is provided.

A cup 24b, mounted on one end of the valve stem 24a, carries a resilientclosure 24e cooperable with the seat 21C. The stem 24a projects throughthe outlet end of the body passage 2lb and into the rear body cavity 53.The end of the valve body passage 2lb guides the closure assembly foraxial movement, whereby the closure 24e1 may be moved toward or awayfrom the seat 21C.

The valve stem 24a has suitable clearance at that portion of the valvebody 21 at which the connecting port 21d opens.

One end of a light coil spring urges the valve 24 upwardly and towardclosing position. A ported nut 26, threadedly accommodated in the lowerend of the valve body opening, seats the other end of the spring 25.

The container sleeve 20 for the compressed or liquefied fluid issupplied with a charge by a carbon dioxide cartridge 27, or the like,that is removably accommodated in the sleeve 20. The cartridge 27 isinserted and removed through the lower end of the sleeve 20 and theapertured butt end of the handle 22. This opening is closed by aremovable plug 28 that has a reduced extension 28a telescopicallyreceived in the lower end of the sleeve 20. The outer end of the plug 28threadedly engages the apertured butt end of the body. An O-ring 29,carried in a recess or extension 28a, establishes a sealing relationshipbetween the plug 28 and the cylinder 20.

The lower end of the plug 28 pivotally mounts a lever 30, to bedescribed more fully hereinafter, that facilitates turning of the plug28. One end of the lever 30 is located midway of a transverse slot inthe end of the plug 28, and has an aperture through which a pin 31extends. The other end of the lever is accessible for manipulation whenit extends beyond either end of the end slot of the plug 28.

In FIG. 1, the cartridge 27 has been pierced, and carbon dioxide, havingboth at liquid and a gaseous phase, is contained in the sleeve 20. In amanner to be described more fully hereinafter, only a small quantity ofthe fluid originally in the container space is permitted to pass throughthe valve at one time. The pressure in the space is substantiallyconstant until the contents are exhausted. This follows since anequilibrium condition between gaseous and liquid phases exists in thespace.

A recess 28h on the inner side of the plug 28 loosely receives the neckend of the cartridge 27. Spacers or ribs in the recess 28b ensurecommunication between the sleeve proper and the cartridge opening at theend of the cartridge neck. A series of generally radially extendinggrooves 21C on the inner end of the valve body ensures communicationbetween the sleeve 20 proper and the valve inlet 2lb.

When the charge in the cylinder 20 is exhausted, the plug 28 is removedby manipulation of the lever 30 and a new cartridge 27 is inserted. Theplug 23 is then tightened down.

For opening the cartridge 27, a piercing pin 32 is provided. This pin isslidably mounted in a through opening of the plug 28. The inner end ofthe pin has a piercing projection 32a extending upwardly into the plugrecess 28]; for cooperation with the soft closure of the cartridge 27 atits neck. The other end of the piercing pin extends into the cross slotof the plug toward the lever mounting pin 31. The piercing pin 32 isadvanced by angular movement of the lever 30 toward an axial positionrelative to the pin and the plug 28. Advancement of the pin 32 is causedby a cam surface 30a provided on the end of the lever 30 adjacent thepin 31, successive portions of which engage the end of the pin 32 as thelever 30 is rotated.

After the soft cartridge closure is pierced, the lever 30 is returned tothe transverse orientation illustrated.

An O-ring 33, located between an annular flange 32b of the piercing pin32 and a shoulder 28C located intermediate the end of the plug opening,establishes a seal between the piercing pin 32 and the plug 28 for allpositions of the piercing pin.

In order to release a quantity of compressed fluid, the valve 24 ismomentarily opened by a hammer 34 located in the rear body cavity 53.The hammer 34 is provided with a projection 34a engageable with theprojecting end of the valve stem 24a. A pin 35 carried by the body 10bmounts the hammer 34 for pivotal movement s0 that the valve stern 24a isin the path of movement of the projection 34a. A coil spring 36, locatedwithin the hollow portion of the grip 22, exerts a spring force on thehammer 34, tending to move it in a counterclockwise or engagingdirection about its pivotal mounting. The spring 36 also Vstores energywhen the hammer 34 is retracted, which energy, when suddenly released,is used to create a substantial impact necessary to unseat the valveagainst the seating force of the compressed iluid.

A link 37 connects one end of the coil spring 36 to a projection 38 onthe hammer 34. This link 37 extends between the outer wall of the sleeve2t) and the rear wall of the body 10b at the grip portion thereof.

The opposite end of the spring 36 is connected to av post 39, theposition of which may be adjusted to vary the amount of energy stored inthe spring before the energy is released, and hence the extent ofopening of the valves.

For this purpose, the lower enlarged end 39a of the post 39 is slidablyreceivable in a through opening 46 at the butt end of the grip portion22 of the body. A pin 41 carried by the body 10b extends radiallyinwardly of the recess 40 to form a stop engageable with the enlargedheaded end 39a of the post 39. When the hammer 34 is moved away from thevalve stem 24a, the coil spring 36 expands, the pin 41 preventing inwardmovement of the post 39.

In order to provide definite adjusted positions of the post, thatsurface of the post head 39a engageable with the pin 41 is formed as acontinuous cam surface provided with discontinuities forming distinctangularly spaced seats 39h, any one of which may be positioned forcooperation with the pin 41 by rotation of the post 39. The seats 39bare located at different axial positions along the length of the post39, and accordingly determine discrete adjusted positions of tension ofthe spring 36. Rotation of the post 39 for the purpose of positioningany one of the seats is facilitated by a slotted outer end of the post39. The pin 41 and head 39a form cam and cam follower structures urgedto engage each other by the spring 36.

The cam arrangement ensures rapid adjustment that accurately controlsthe spring tension. Operation of the device is accurately predictablesince thev adjusted positions of the post are denite and since thepressure in the space is substantially uniform irrespective of theamount of fluid remaining.

The hammer is moved away from the valve stern 24a to store energy in thespring 36 by a longitudinally reciprocable link 42. One end of the link42 extends into the rear body cavity 53, and the other end of the linkextends into a forward body cavity 54 beneath the rear end of thebarrel. The link 42 extends across the open side of the slider recess13. The link 42 also clears the narrowed lower end 17C of the slider 17,as shown in FIG. 2.

The hammer 34 has an eccentric projection or cocking pin 43 in the pathof movement of the end surface 42a of the link 42. By movement of thelink 42 rearwardly or toward the right, as viewed in FIGS. l and 3, thehammer 34 is rotated and its valve-engaging projection 34a is retracted.

For moving the link 42, a pivoted trigger 44 is provided in the forwardbody cavity 54. The trigger 44 is pivotally mounted about an axistransverse to the body 20 by a pin 46 passing through an aperture in theupper portion of the trigger 44.

For mounting the link for operation by the trigger 44, the left-hand orforward end of the link 42 is pivotally connected eccentrically of thetrigger 44. For this purpose, an aperture 42h of the link 42 engages apin 45 projecting from the trigger 44.

By counterclockwise movement of the trigger 44, as by manipulation of adepending iingerpiece 49, the link is moved and the hammer cocking pin34a is rotated.

For normally retracting the link 42 and for moving the fingerpiece 49forwardly, a coiled tension spring 47 is provided. One end of the springis fastened to a pin 48 of the body 10b, and its other end is secured tothe left-hand or forward terminal portion of the link 42.

The pin 48, mounting the xed end of the link-biasing spring 47, islocated so that a clockwise torque is exerted on the link 42 about thetrigger pin 46. This causes an intermediate portion of the lower edge42C of the link to move into engagement with an abutment 50 formed onthe body b. In this position, the end surface 42a of the link 42 is solocated that it will engage the cocking pin 43 upon retraction of thelink 42.

In the position shown in full lines in FIG. 3, the link 42 is partiallyretracted and the hammer 34 is lifted from the valve stern 24a. In thisposition, the direction of movement of the cocking pin 43 corresponds tothe direction of movement of the operating link 42. Upon furthermovement, the cocking pin 43 moves downwardly in a path diverging fromthat of the link 42; the reaction between the cocking pin 43 and the endsurface 42a of the link 42 is then so directed as to cause the link torotate upwardly away from the abutment 50 against the force of thespring 47.

In the phantom-line position shown in FIG. 3, the cocking pin 43 islocated at the end edge of the link surface 42a. Further movement of thelink 42 will cause the link to clear the cocking pin 43. The hammer 34is then tripped (FIG. 4) and the energy stored in the spring 36 issuddenly released. The impact is sufficient momentarily to open thevalve closure assembly 24 against the high force of the compressed fluidin the space. A definite quantity of compressed gas, depending upon theadjustment of the spring 36, is passed through the conducting passage 19of the body to the barrel. When the energy of the spring 36 is spent,the pressure of the liquid in the sleeve returns the closure and thehammer 34 to the position shown in FIG. 1.

After the hammer has been tripped, the cocking pin 43 slides along thelower edge 42e of the link 42. By releasing the fingerpiece 49, the link42, under the action of the spring 47, will move forwardly until the endof the link 42 clears the cocking -pin 43, and the mechanism is again incondition for operation by manipulation of the trigger.

In order to ensure that the slider 17 positions a pellet 15 in thebarrel before the link 42 is moved to the critical tripping position, anoverriding connection between the trigger 44 and the lslider 17 isprovided.

The trigger 44 has a rearwardly extending lug 60 entering an elongateslot or opening 17d of the slider 17 (see FIGS. l, 2 and 3). Thetrigger-biasing spring 47 causes the end of the lug 6@ to engage thebottom surface of the slider recess 17d, ensuring retraction of theslider 17 upon retraction of the link 42 and trigger 44. Y

When the slider 17 reaches its lower limit of travel in the recess 13,forward movement of the trigger 44 and link 42 is correspondinglylimited by virtue of the interengagement of the lug and the slider 17.In this posi* tion, there is a denite spacing between the end surface42a of the link 42 and the cocking pin 43.

A bow spring 61 (FIG. l) maintains the lower end of the slider slot 17din engagement with the lug 60. The right-hand end 61a of the bow spring61 extends into a small recess 17e immediately beneath the recess 17dinto which the lug 60 projects beneath an overhanging Wall of a recessin the upper portion of the trigger 44. An upwardly extending surface44d near the axis of the trigger engages the lower side of the bowspring 61 and imparts a suitable upwardly bowed conguration to thespring 61 so that the end 61a thereof exerts an upward thrust on theslider 17.

When the trigger 44 reaches the intermediate position shown in FIG. 3,the slider 17 has moved to its upper limited position. The hammer,however, has not yet been tripped. Further retraction of the trigger 44causes the lug 60 to move away from the lower surface of the recess 17d.The slider 17 is, however, held in its upper limited position by the bowspring 61, the end 61a of the bow spring exerting an upward thrustthereon.

Retraction of the iingerpiece 49 past the position shown in FIG. 3 tothe tripping position shown in FIG. 4 causes increased lexure of the bowspring 61. This follows since the overhanging wall anchoring theIopposite end 61h of the spring 61 is moved downwardly about therelatively stationary fulcrum surface 44d. An increasing force iSthereby applied t-o the slider 17 to maintain it in its upper limitedposition for ring.

By fixing one end of the bow spring on the trigger, a positive holdingthrust is applied to the slider 17.

The slot or recess 17d, lug 60 and the bow spring 61 provide theoverriding connection between the trigger 44 and slider 17. On releaseof the trigger 44, these elements form a lost motion connection.

When the trigger is released, the lug 60 moves downwardly until itengages the lower end of the recess 17d. Thereafter, the slider isretracted through positive engagement between the lug 60 and the slider17.

The resilient connection ensures against damage Iof the parts in theevent that the pellets 15 are not properly fed. If the feeding mechanismtends to jam, the lug 60 immediately will move away from the end surfaceof the -slider slot as the trigger is retracted. Noticeably highresistance will be encountered by virtue -of immediate increased ilexureof the bow spring 61. The increased resistance will warn that theapparatus is jammed, and appropriate remedial measures can be takenbefore damage to any of the parts occurs.

As the available pressurized fluid is exhausted, the hammer loadingspring 36 will overpower the very slight seating force exerted by theretainer spring 23, and will move the valve 24 to open position, asshown in FIG. 5. In this position, the cocking pin 43 is rotatedforwardly toward the link 42 to an extent in excess of the usual spacingbetween the link and the pin. The link 42 will be prevented rom droppingover the end of the `cocking pin 43 as the trigger is released. Shouldthe fingerpiece 49 thereafter be manipulated, the end of the link 42will pass over the upper surface of the cocking pin 43. Operation of thehammer 34, when the charge in the sleeve 20 is ex- 'i' hausted, isaccordingly prevented, avoiding unnecessary wear on the parts.

When a new cartridge 27 is inserted and opened, the pressure will urgethe closure 24 to seat, and the stem 24a will lift the hammer 34,thereby permitting the link 42 to return to the initial operatingposition illustrated in FIG. 1 under the influence of the biasingvspring 47.

In order to provide a safety position for the apparatus, the link 42 islifted so that it clears the cooking pin. For this purpose, a safety lug62 is provided. The lug 62 projects inwardly through an elongate slot 65in the cover plate ltlb beneath the link 42. A bow spring 63 on theinside of the plate b engages a surface intermediate the length of thelug 62 to urge it inwardly and hold it in place. A iingerpiece 64fastened to the outer end of the lug limits inward movement.

By moving the fngerpiece 64 upwardly in the slot 65 from the positionshown in FIG. 8, the lug 62 rotates the link 42 to the position shown inFIG. 6. In this position, the end surface 42a and `the lug will clearthe cock-ing pin 43 of the hammer 34 whenever the trigger is retracted.

By moving the ngerpiece 64 downwardly in the slot 65, the link 42 ispermitted to rotate back to operative position in which the link engagesthe abutment 50. The safety device ensures against operation lof theapparatus without physically restraining any of the parts.

The inventors claim:

1. In a small arms device: a body having a barrel; means forming achamber for containing a compressed lluid; passage forming means forconducting Huid under pressure from the chamber to the barrel; anormally closed valve controlling the communication between the passageand the chamber and having a part accessible exteriorly of the chamber;a movable impact hammer member engageable with said accessible part formomentarily opening the valve; resilient means urging the hammer membertoward engaging position, and capable of storing energy when the hammermember is moved away from engaging position; a link member; a triggerpivotally connected to the link member; means positioning the linkmember in one relative angular orientation so that it moves in one pathupon operation of the trigger; said link member having an elementengageable with an element of the hammer member for retracting saidhammer member when said link member moves in said one path; the elementof said hammer member moving in a course diverging from the course ofthe link element for tripping of said hammer member upon criticalmovement of the link member in said one path; and selectively 0perablemeans moving the link member to another angular orientation fordetermining an alternate path of movement in which its element clearsthe hammer member element upon operation of the trigger.

2. In a small arms weapon: means forming a chamber for containing fluidunder pressure; a valve having a valve operating member accessibleeXteriorly of the chamber; the pressure of uid in the chamber normallymaintaining the valve operator in valve closing position; a movableimpact member engageable with the valve opertor for opening the valveonly upon sufficient impact between the valve operator and the impactmember; resilient means urging the impact member to valve operatorengaging position and capable of storing energy when said impact memberis retracted from engaging position; said impact member having anabutment; a movable link; a movable trigger pivotally mounting one endof the link; means biasing the link toward one limited angular positionfor movement in a path in which the surface of the other end of saidlink is engageable with said abutment for retracting said impact memberupon retraction of said trigger; the abutment moving beyond the said endsurface upon sucient retraction of said trigger for tripping said impactmember; the pivotal mounting of said link causing the link to be cammedaway from said angular position by said abutment upon tripping movementof the impact member; said biasing means, upon release of the trigger,causing said other end of said link to pass over said abutment andreturn to said limited angular position for repeated engagement withsaid abutment upon repeated retraction of the trigger; and a selectivelyoperable safety lug engageable with the link for moving the link awayfrom its limited angular position and determining an alternate path ofmovement of the link in which said other end of said link clears saidabutment upon retraction of the trigger.

3. In a small arms weapon: a barrel through which a missile is adaptedto be projected; means providing a magazine for supplying missiles tothe barrel; power means for propelling the missile; a hammer mechanismfor intermittently actuating said power means, including a trigger and amovable link operated by the trigger to cock the hammer mechanism; and aselectively movable member for determining alternate paths of movementof the link; said movable member determining alternate positions of thelink for each position of the trigger; the hammer mechanism being inonly one of the paths of movement of the link.

4. In a small arms device: a body having a barrel; means forming achamber for containing a compressed luid; passage forming means forconducting uid under pressure from the chamber to the barrel; a valvecontrolling the communication between the passage and the chamber andhaving an actuator accessible exteriorly of the chamber; a movableimpact hammer member engageable with said actuator for momentarilyopening the valve; resilient means urging the hammer member towardengaging position, and capable of storing energy when the hammer ismoved away from engaging position; the pressure of iluid in the chamberurging said valve to close and overpowering said resilient means whensaid hammer is at rest; the resilient means, when the hammer is at rest,causing the hammer member to maintain the valve open when the supply ofpressurized fluid in the chamber is exhausted; a link mem ber; a triggerpivotally connected to the link member; means positioning the linkmember in one relative angular orientation so that it moves in one pathupon operation of the trigger; said link member having an elementengageable with an element of the hammer member for retracting thehammer member when said link member moves in said one path; the elementof said hammer member moving in a course diverging from the course ofthe link element for tripping of said hammer member upon criticalmovement of the link member in said one path; selectively operable meansmoving the link member to another angular orientation for determining analternate path of movement in which its element clears the hammer memberelement upon operation of the trigger; the element of said hammer memberbeing out of both paths of movement of said element of said link memberwhen said hammer member is in valve opening position.

5. In a small arms weapon: means forming a chamber for containing iluidunder pressure; a valve having a valve operating member accessibleeXteriorly of the chamber; the pressure of uid in the chamber normallymaintaining the valve operator in the valve closing position; a movableimpact member engageable with the valve operator for opening the valveonly upon suicient impact between the valve operator and the impactmember; resilient means urging the impact member to valve operatorengaging position and capable of storing energy when said impact memberis retracted from engaging position; said impact member having anabutment; a movable link; a movable trigger pivotally mounting one endof the link; means biasing the link toward one limited angular positionfor movement in a path in which the surface of the other end of saidlink is engageable with said abutment for retracting said impact memberupon retraction of said trigger; the abutment moving beyond the said endsurface upon sufficient retraction of said trigger for tripping saidimpact member; the pivotal mounting of said link causing the link to becammed away from said angular position by said abutment upon trippingmovement of the impact member; said biasing means, upon release of thetrigger, causing said other end of said link to pass over said abutmentand return to said limited angular position for repeated engagement withsaid abutment upon repeated retraction of the trigger; the resilientmeans causing the impact member to move the valve operator to valveopening position when the chamber is exhausted, the abutment then beinglocated out of the path of movement of said other end of said link; anda selectively operable safety lug engageable with the link for movingthe link away from its limited angular position and determining analternate path of movement of the link in which said other end of saidlink clears said abutment upon retraction of the trigger.

6. In a small arms weapon: a hammer movable between a ring position anda retracted position; a spring urging the hammer to tiring position; atrigger movable between limits in a path; a linkage between the triggerand the hammer for retracting the hammer against the force of saidspring upon movement of the hammer away from one limit; said linkage andsaid hammer having abutting parts for transfer of retracting force tosaid hammer; trip means operative upon predetermined retraction of thehammer by movement of the trigger towards its other limit for movingsaid parts out of abutting relationship for unrestricted movement of thehammer to firing position under the influence of said spring; and meansfor optionally disengaging the linkage while permitting movement of thetrigger in both directions throughout its path.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,085,698 2/ 14Nelson 42-70.5 1,136,247 4/15 Lewis 42-70.5 2,037,313 4/ 36 Duncanson124-37 2,659,994 11/ 53 Yale 42-69 2,881,752 4/59 Blahnik 124-36 RICHARDC. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

JAMES W. LOVE, LOUIS R. PRINCE, Examiners.

6. IN A SMALLY ARMS WEAPON: A HAMMER MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRING POSITIONAND A RETRACTED POSITION; A SPRING URGING THE HAMMER TO FIRING POSITION;A TRIGGER MOVABLE BETWEEN LIMITS IN A PATH; A LINKAGE BETWEEN THETRIGGER AND THE HAMMER FOR RETRACTING THE HAMMER AGAINST THE FORCE OFSAID SPRING UPON MOVEMENT OF THE HAMMER AWAY FROM ONE LIMIT; SAIDLINKAGE AND SAID HAMMER HAVING ABUTTING PARTS FOR TRANSFER OF RETRACTINGFORCE TO SAID HAMMER; TRIP MEANS OPERATIVE UPON PREDETERMINED RETRACTIONOF THE HAMMER BY MOVEMENT OF THE TRIGGER TOWARDS ITS OTHER LIMIT FORMOVING SAID PARTS OUT OF ABUTTING RELATIONSHIP FOR UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENTOT THE HAMMER TO FIRING POSITION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SAID SPRING; ANDMEANS FOR OPTIONALLY DISENGAGING THE LINKAGE WHILE PERMITTING MOVEMENTOF THE TRIGGER IN BOTH DIRECTIONS THROUGHOUT ITS PATH.